AI for All? An Exploration of Real-World Algorithmic Bias
Understanding and connecting STEM and social justice to solve community problems is at the core of Our Future Is Science initiatives. In an April 12th, 2023 talk, Mutale Nkonde and Chris Hemphill discuss algorithmic bias.
Mutale Nkonde is a researcher, policy advisor, media commentator and CEO of AI for the People: a non profit that advocates for responsible approaches to AI development. It is built around the policy advocacy work Nkonde had been doing in Congress since 2017 while she was a fellow at Data and Society, and later at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard. In 2019 Nkonde’s efforts led to her becoming the lead advocate for the introduction of the Algorithmic Accountability Act (AAA). In 2023 Nkonde took part in one of Senator Schumer’s AI Insight Panels and spoke on panels at the Congress Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference (CBC). Then in 2024 she took part in a series of White House Roundtables on AI. In 2025 AI for the People became shareholder activists, using their proxy votes to encourage the world’s largest AI developers to adopt responsible approaches to the design, deployment and governance of AI products. Nkonde has a BSc. (Hons) in Sociology from Leeds Metropolitan University, a Masters Degree in American Studies from Columbia University. And is currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge. As well as formally holding fellowships at Notre Dame, and Stanford and is currently a visiting policy fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute.
Chris Hemphill focuses on how data science can help us understand and improve the human condition. Hemphill is Sr. Director of Commercial Intelligence at Woebot Health, a role that combines data science with AI strategy for health systems and insurers, and a Fellow for Healthcare, AI, & Health Equity at the NYU McSilver Institute. This work at the intersection of tech and strategy has a broader theme: working with healthcare leaders to drive ethical and effective decisions with AI and algorithms.
Hemphill started the “Hello Healthcare” podcast, featuring strategy and technology discussions with healthcare leaders and policy makers. It is in the top 25% most downloaded podcasts. Hemphill started and led data ethics initiatives at Actium Health, which led to collaborations between Chicago Booth’s Center for Applied AI and reduced racial and gender bias in algorithms. Hemphill’s current focus is on engagement arcs and uncovering unseen population health needs in the digital mental health sector. They graduated from the University of South Alabama and have helped teach data science at General Assembly.
The Community Talk Series is a platform to expose individuals to diverse careers, as well as information, insights, and perspectives on the intersections of STEM disciplines and social justice issues.
This event is organized by Our Future Is Science, an initiative of the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program.